Sport News

GSSSSA AFL Carnival 

Last Thursday, two teams of eager Years Seven and Eight students boarded the buses to compete in the Country Footy WA Boys Eagles and Girls Dockers Cup Football carnival. Arriving at Retravision Stadium, the boys' and girls' teams began to warm up. The boys' first fixture was against St Joseph's College. Clean skills in the slick conditions and the midfield being lit up by ruckman Samuel Osborne brought the boys to a comfortable five goal win. 

The second-round match up for the boys was what most thought might end up being the Grand Final against North Albany Senior High School. NASHS got out to a fast start, kicking two before GSG could answer in the first half. The second half saw the midfielders dominate and some late Tristan Harris magic sealed the game for Grammar who had a seven-point lead at the end. 

The next game on the cards was against Albany Senior High School. With the conditions drying up, the skills of the team stood up. Being able to use sharp skills and fluid ball movement led the boys to a one goal victory. Having beaten all of the Albany schools the confidence was riding high into the latter two fixtures of the day. 

Mount Barker Community College had highlights of Levi Ravenhill kicking a handful of goals and Liam Cybula’s strong clearances from the midfield. Denmark High was the last hurdle before a guaranteed Grand Final. Grammar kicked the first of the game against Denmark but failed to capitalise on forward entries in the first half. Two goals within the last two minutes of the game from Denmark handed GSG the first loss of the day. 

The Grand Final was to be against Denmark High. The first goal of the game went Grammar's way, off the boot of Bert Williams. With a start similar to the first game against Denmark, nerves were not settled just yet. Another goal in the first half gave GSG a 12-point to zero lead going into halftime. Two more goals to one in the second half saw Grammar confidently stake their name as premiers. 

The girl's day was also positive. Wins against Denmark High, NASHS and Mount Barker Community College had the girls as a top team early. Unable to bring forward their winning form, saw them playing for third or fourth place against ASHS. Unfortunately, the girls went down in a tight loss. Every player could have been mentioned as a best on ground. Without a win in this game GSG was the fourth placed team at the end of the day. The games were defined by Molly O’Malley and Poppy Ford’s clearances and hard running. 

At the end of the day, Molly O’Malley and Samuel Osborne were both awarded best and fairest for their hard and consistent work throughout all the games. With the two positive results for the day, I believe it’s safe to say that AFL at Great Southern Grammar is in safe hands. 

I would like to extend a thank you to Country Football WA for coordinating the day. 

And a big thank you to Mrs Sprigg, Mr McLean and Mr Steytler for having the day run smoothly. 

Fraser Syme | Year Eleven student